Are We that Bad?

IncX · #1 10-16-2011, 02:12 AM

so last night we joined one of those Battle of the Bands ... we lost to one of those metal bands: screaming lyrics, drop D chug chug riffs, never-ending breakdowns, the head bang-crabcore stage choreography - basically, the typical stereotype of mainstream metal.

not everyone was happy, and pretty soon, a bunch of finger pointing ensued.

i dont know... one was blaming the drummer, the other the singer, etc. i just thought we were just way out of our element

here's a clip of the cover song we chose (from Kings of Leon):

Use Somebody (cover)- Paperview (RH Muziklaban 2011) - YouTube

were we that bad? was it a bad song choice?

Mike M. · #2 10-16-2011, 04:02 AM

Well, the crowd sounded like they enjoyed your band!

In all honesty...sure, I heard a few shakey spots here and there, but nothing that some good old fashion practice, recording yourselves and listening back to wouldn't take care of. But no, I wouldn't say it was bad.

Stop blaming each other and get to work!

Jazz Ad · #3 10-16-2011, 04:32 AM

Who sold the most tickets for the event? It usually decides who wins.
As for your band, cute singer and good playing, I'd say you're good.

hrodbert696 · #4 10-16-2011, 04:40 AM

How was the battle judged? Was there a judging panel or was it crowd vote? Either way, whoever's judging may just like what they like and that's it. Also, since we don't have a clip of the band who won, it's hard to say whether they really were or weren't better than you - just that they were a screamo metal band doesn't have to disqualify them, maybe you were good but they were just better.

I've heard the Kings of Leon song on the radio plenty but never really sat down and listened to it. It does sound like there's a kind of recurring "skip" between you and the drummer that sounds like an error - I would have to listen to the original to see how it compares, maybe it's supposed to be there. Otherwise I thought it was pretty good.

TBrett · #5 10-16-2011, 09:03 AM

I would think of it simply as another opportunity to gain experience. Sure, having entered a contest, naturally you'd hope to win. But what those contests are really good for is exposure. So on that score, you won. You played, people heard you, liked you, and you have a recording of the show so you can work on any weak spots. Tell your band members to cut out the finger-pointing. If they're falling into that now, what it's going to be like when the band is busy and there's more pressure? Record all your practices and listen carefully to the recordings. Play live whenever you can and record that, too. Our band members have 20-30 years of experience each and we still record everything. It's the best way to get really tight.

CapnSev · #6 10-16-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Who sold the most tickets for the event? It usually decides who wins.
As for your band, cute singer and good playing, I'd say you're good.

+1

You played at a popularity contest where musicianship doesn't matter.

IncX · #7 10-16-2011, 11:09 AM

Mike M:

the "crowd" you are hearing is our table... so yep, they are really good friends so they'd cheer regardless of how bad we mess up onstage lol

-*-

jazz ad:

no ticket selling, unfortunately.

and thanks, i'll tell the band what you just said - i believe it could help stop the finger pointing

-*-

bert696:

here they are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Aafu2B0cw

David vs Goliath @ Red Horse Muziklaban Elims - YouTube

i didnt know they also entered the same competition last year.

-*-

TBrett:

we do record all our rehearsals! ... and the trend is usually like this: either the singer is not in the mood, doesnt memorize the lyrics or learn the new song... or the drummer is so bored he attempts to "snake in" some weird stuff that would mess up the song, which would then lead to a chain reaction of finger pointing.

im looking for a work around with this problem... and the solution so far is baby-sitting both drummer and singer 1 on 1. meaning, we dont have a full band rehearsal unless we are sure they wont do what they usually do.

the drummer is improving, the singer, unfortunately, is not... but at least we have 10 songs and 2 origs we can sing with her

-*-

CapnSev:

you make a lot of sense. for one thing, one of the judges had his ipod on while "judging" the event.

electracoyote · #8 10-16-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IncX

not everyone was happy, and pretty soon, a bunch of finger pointing ensued.

i dont know... one was blaming the drummer, the other the singer, etc.

This should not happen. You guys need to sit down and make peace, and then make a policy to not let fingerpointing ensue just because you don't come out on top every time you perform. The hard feelings that develop could linger for a long time and cause far more problems than losing a stupid battle of the bands. We all know those things are popularity contests.

Stinsok · #9 10-16-2011, 11:18 AM

You win as a team, lose as a team. As stated above, sometimes it's not how good you are that matters. We didn't win a BOTB that I felt we should have. All backline was supposed to be supplied and used so that the show would flow quickly. In this case, I was playing drums. We were first but the drumkit was not set up, and was a crappy kit with lots of stuff missing/lying in piles, etc. I asked those in charge about using some of my equipment but was told "no." I had to use my McGyver skills and got their kit up and running. The show started late and we were at fault.

prd004 · #10 10-16-2011, 11:20 AM

Battle of the bands are generally a bunch of BS, I wouldn't get too down.
Whoever is doing the judging will be subjective, and biased toward what he/she likes.
If you play a cover at one of these things and the judges don't like that song you are f***ed.
I suppose in this case the judges liked metal.
I stay far, far away from battle of the bands, not much good can come from them.

Doctor Dirt · #11 10-16-2011, 11:35 AM

I've been playing music for over 50 years and did the battle of the bands like most young people did back in the day. I don't look at playing music as a competing unless its an individual process where you challenge yourselve to improve. This is not a sport and theres no scoring that is defined like at a goal line or basket or scoring. This is all subjective and you need to understand this.
As for your "competition" I've heard nonsense before but thats one of the best examples of how NOT to play an instrument. The lil guy behind the chairs must have a powerfull neck because I was waiting for his head to roll off.
Let band grow as all of you grow musicly, and give yourselves a chance to improve individually then as a group. Have respect for one another and be understanding of everyones needs.
If you do anymore battles do them for yourselves not a judges opinion, more of a show case. A good live demo captured on a cd is a great way to see and hear what your doing poorly and what your strengths are. good luck. Doc

pudgychef · #12 10-16-2011, 11:37 AM

ime songs with long, fairly exposed "Ohh-OH-Ohhhs" rarely come off well unless the singers are killer. To me both singers sounded a bit shakey on those parts (which are kind of the signature of the tune..) and I think that song isn't a great choice for that singer.... I had a few of those <pucker face> reactions to those parts of the song...and I don't think it is a great cover to choose if you want to showcase the musicianship of a band...kind of a song meant to focus on the front person to me...

but *** its all imho, ime etc. just commenting because you asked and if I posted something similar I would want honest replies...

I have had good and bad BOTB experiences - performing and judging - but the exposure can be a great thing...

IncX · #13 10-16-2011, 11:38 AM

moral of the story:

do not join battle of the bands and don't blame each other for joining one lol

thanks guys

Papa Dangerous · #14 10-16-2011, 11:41 AM

From my experience with people... people who listen to metal and only listen to metal seem to flock together. Anything else is weak and gay to them - not everyone, but many many that I have talked music with share this perspective.

If you have a number of metal bands, than you are going to have a lot of these people there too. Jaded situation.

pudgychef · #15 10-16-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IncX

moral of the story:

do not join battle of the bands and don't blame each other for joining one lol

thanks guys

I wouldn't say not to join BOTB - just to view them as what they are - chances to get better, get exposure and get feedback.

100% stop the finger pointing or find new team mates

Nev375 · #16 10-16-2011, 11:53 AM

Art is not a sport. There are not supposed to be winners or losers.
Art either moves the observer or it doesn't and the artist that moves the most people is rarely the most talented. You cant score art because art is not a sport.

punkinfantry · #17 10-16-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

+1

You played at a popularity contest where musicianship doesn't matter.

+several billion

Muaguana · #18 10-16-2011, 12:04 PM

My band once joined the Battle of the Bands at my community college. 3 winners are chosen to record some songs each year. Just so happens that only 3 bands showed up. Then the other two bands disappeared off the face of the earth, and the college gave up recording altogether. Fun.

Ric5 · #19 10-16-2011, 12:09 PM

The way to win a battle of the bands is to bring in a bunch of your fans who will yell loud for you and nobody else. You don't have to be a better band just have a bunch of loud fans.

pudgychef · #20 10-16-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nev375

Art is not a sport. There are not supposed to be winners or losers.
Art either moves the observer or it doesn't and the artist that moves the most people is rarely the most talented. You cant score art because art is not a sport.

so you wouldn't say that the ability to move many people over centuries would qualify something as good art? I would say the ability to reach a lot of people, across many generations would go a lot towards real verification of quality as opposed to a couple opinions of 'in the know' experts who look down at anything the unclean masses like....

art may not be a competition, but making music (or paintings for that matter) as a professional (with the intent of making money) certainly has that aspect...otherwise they would hand out cash and retainers to everyone who tried hard.

BOTB are kind of like auditions - you are competing against others to appeal to a small handful of people. Dismissing them as strictly popularity or whatever contests can really come across as a reaction from those who didn't win and just can't come to terms with it...